A federal judge has ordered Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to reveal its internal leadership structure and provide details on how cost-cutting decisions are made. The ruling comes amid a lawsuit filed by 14 Democratic state attorneys general, who argue that Musk’s role in DOGE gives him unconstitutional power over federal agencies.
Judge Tanya Chutkan has given DOGE three weeks to comply with the order, which includes identifying all individuals who have held leadership positions and those with the authority to hire or fire employees. The court is investigating whether DOGE’s mass layoffs and restructuring efforts violate the Appointments Clause, which governs how government officials are appointed and held accountable.
The ruling raises questions about Musk’s exact role within the Trump administration. The White House has described him as a senior advisor to the president and a special government employee, which means his financial disclosures are not made public. Musk has publicly embraced his position, even wearing a T-shirt that reads “Tech Support” while working with Trump’s administration.
If DOGE fails to provide the required information, the judge could move to block its operations entirely. With scrutiny growing over how DOGE is reshaping the federal workforce, this court battle could determine the future of Musk’s influence in government restructuring.
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